Strap on your skis for the Black Mountain Nordic Classic

Wed, Feb  24, 2010 - By Denny Paull

Strap on your skis and get ready for the 7th annual Black Mountain Nordic Classic cross country ski race and tour on March 6th. Two separate races  and a non competitive tour will be available this year. The  31 km (19 mile) classic style  only race is a Michigan Cup sanctioned event which will bring skiers from all over the Midwest to compete. New for this year is a shorter, 10 km (6.2 mile) "freestyle " race which will allow skiers to use either the skate technique or classic technique. The 10 km race/tour is a non Michigan Cup event and will therefor be less competitive making the event more inclusive to less serious skiers.

Both races and the non competitive tour start and finish on Trout Lake below the Black Mountain Lodge. All participants will enjoy incredible views of Black Mountain and Lake Huron while skiing perfectly groomed, olympic quality ski trails on the rolling hills of Black Mountain. A nice lunch buffet prepared by Chef Dennis Durkin of  the Black Mountain Lodge will be enjoyed by participants while they await the awards ceremony directly after the races. Local artist Mary Pritchard of Domici gallery has again designed custom shirts and awards . Wind chimes are given to the overall Male and Female in the 31 Km race with custom tiles awarded to the first 3 racers in each age group. Custom plaques with wearable , jewelry type, medals will be won by 10 km racers.

Barring any disaster from mother nature, the course should be especially great this year with the recent efforts of the MSEA Union, DNRE , TBTA and Senator Jason Allen to allow grooming of the entire outside perimeter of the course for the remainder of the winter.

Registration will be available inside the Black Mountain Lodge between 7:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The 10 km race/tour will start at 9:30 with the 31 km race starting at 10:00.

Early registration is encouraged. Race registration forms  are available online at nordicskiracer.com or by sending an e-mail to [email protected]. All proceeds from the race will be used for the ongoing grooming efforts by the TBTA to make Black Mountain the premier "destination" ski course in Northeast Michigan.